What are OBRA Services?

The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA) is a federally funded program. It requires nursing facilities to meet certain standards to qualify for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement for persons with a mental illness or a developmental disability. Mental Health OBRA Program staff provide special services to help meet these standards. These services include a pre-admission screening for people entering a nursing facility and an annual review for people who are already living in a nursing facility that have or are suspected of having a mental illness or developmental disability. This review is done to make sure that people who have developmental disabilities or a mental illness are appropriately placed in a nursing facility.

Who can benefit from OBRA Services?

OBRA Services are available for current or future nursing facility residents who have mental illness or a developmental disability.

How do OBRA Services help an individual?

OBRA Services provide an assessment that helps determine the need for nursing facility care and mental health services. Nursing facility residents with mental illness or developmental disabilities may qualify for additional services to help promote independence. A person-centered planning approach is used to help identify an individual's strengths, dreams, goals, and desires. OBRA staff may help an individual to access psychiatric services, individual or group psychotherapy, treatment monitoring, resident and family education, and specialized services based on the needs of the person. When nursing facility care is no longer needed, OBRA Services staff will help secure alternative living arrangements.

How can you access OBRA Services?

If you are living in a private residence in the community, you may be referred by your family physician. If you are in a hospital your social worker or discharge planner may refer you if nursing facility care is anticipated. Referrals are accepted from individual families, community physicians, hospitals and nursing homes. Information on the referral process in Bay and Arenac Counties may be obtained from OBRA staff by calling 1-989-895-2300 or 1-800-327-4693.